15 May Organization

Description

Formed in 1979 from remnants of Wadi Haddad's Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations Group (PFLP-SOG). Led by
Muhammad al-Umari, who is known throughout Palestinian circles as Abu
Ibrahim or the bomb man. Group was never part of PLO. Reportedly disbanded
in the mid-1980s when several key members joined Colonel Hawari's Special
Operations Group of Fatah.

Activities

Claimed credit for several bombings in the early-to-middle 1980s, including
hotel bombing in London (1980), El Al's Rome and Istanbul offices (1981),
and Israeli Embassies in Athens and Vienna (1981). Anti-US attacks include
an attempted bombing of a Pan Am airliner in Rio de Janeiro and a bombing
on board a Pan Am flight from Tokyo to Honolulu in August 1982. (The
accused bomber in this last attack, Mohammed Rashid, is currently jailed in
Greece following his conviction for the bombing, which killed a Japanese
teenager.)

Strength

50 to 60 in early 1980s.

Location/Area of Operation

Baghdad until 1984. Before disbanding, operated in Middle East, Europe, and
East Asia, Abu Ibrahim is reportedly in Iraq.

External Aid

Probably received logistic and financial support from Iraq until 1984.